‘The important lessons I’ve learned in the five years since retirement’

The last 12 months have been great for raising the voice of the over-60s community at Starts at 60, something we feel strongly about doing. During the next few weeks we are celebrating the blogs that resonated with readers the most throughout the year. This blog is one of our Top 30 blogs for 2019.

Up until six years ago I worked in many different jobs. I was a hairdresser, then a ‘checkout chick’, a cook, a supervisor in a restaurant, a mother to five, a foster carer to dozens, a respite worker, a court councillor and a farmeress.

I grew pumpkins and melons on my property for the last 10 years of my working life. I also had a foster child or three during that same time. I bred Clydesdale horses and participated in a local harness club and vintage car club.

When I turned 65 I decided to retire from all of the above, except for the mother position. One is always a mother, no matter how old one is.

I sold all my horses, gave up fostering children and ceased all my voluntary activities.

I looked forward to retirement. I thought I would have so much time on my hands. Time to relax, time to smell the roses. But, I have learned that this is not so.

It seems to me, that I am busier than ever. How could a retired person be busier than a mother raising five children as well as working two jobs, I asked myself. There seems to be no time to smell the roses at all.

I have learned that there are not enough hours in a day to do all the things I wish to do. Is it because I am older and slowing down? I am not sure.

I seem to be moving at the same pace I always moved at. Pretty laid back and slow. No, I don’t think that is the reason for my lack of time.

I have learned that time flies by at a rate of knots, faster than a speeding bullet. I never imagined that this would be the case.

I have learned that if I go to town more than once a week, I achieve absolutely nothing on the home front. It completely ruins my momentum, albeit a slow momentum, it is still progress.

I have learned that crocheting for my granddaughter, whilst very rewarding, takes up 24 hours a day. I cannot stop until I finish the project.

I have learned that writing — I’ve been blogging with Starts at 60 for a number of years now — is also very rewarding and helps get rid of gremlins from previous hard times.

Most importantly, I have learned that there are so many wonderful places to go, people to see and things to do whilst retired. I will never be bored.